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College Readiness Mentor

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your experience working with high school students, especially first-generation or low-income students.

What they are checking: Whether they can connect with the students PEOPLE serves and understand their challenges.

How do you build trust with a student who seems guarded or skeptical?

What they are checking: Whether they can build real relationships, which is what makes mentoring work.

This role is based in Milwaukee and requires travel in the area without mileage reimbursement. How would that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they have accepted the travel terms so it does not become a problem later.

Why do you want to do college readiness work?

What they are checking: Whether their motivation is strong enough to keep going through slow progress.

What would you do

How would you help a student who wants to go to college but has no one at home who has done it?

What they are checking: Whether they can guide students through steps families may not know.

A student stops showing up to program sessions. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they reach out with care and look for the reason instead of giving up.

How would you work with Milwaukee Public Schools staff to support your students?

What they are checking: Whether they can partner with school staff who have their own priorities.

How do you talk with a family that is worried about their child going far away to UW-Madison?

What they are checking: Whether they can respect family concerns and share honest information.

About the work

Walk me through how you would help a student with the FAFSA and college applications.

What they are checking: Whether they know the practical steps of applying to and paying for college.

How do you keep accurate records on many students while still spending time with them?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the tracking work without losing the human part of mentoring.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Wisconsin-Madison from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term) Job Profile: Student Processing Specialist Job Summary: The position is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is expected to perform work within the Milwaukee area. Travel to the worksite and within the designated work region is considered a normal job requirement. As a result, travel reimbursement, including mileage and other travel-related expenses, will not be authorized or provided in connection with this position. About the Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE) Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE) is a college prep program for students in the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Milwaukee Public School District. The program is designed for students with strong academic potential, identifies with one of UW Systems targeted minority groups and/or is low-income; most of whom are the first in their families to potentially attend college. Their journey prepares them to apply, be successfully admitted, and enroll at University of Wisconsin System institutions with an emphasis on University of Wisconsin-Madison. PEOPLE provides college prep services by providing programming and opportunity for growth in four areas; • Build and Master Academic Knowledge • Build Cognitive Skills and Strategies • Build Self-Management Skills • Build Knowledge about College through Experiential Learning Students who are accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison may be eligible for a four-year tuition scholarship and support services from our College Scholars Program. The Mentor/Tutor is a person who will work in-person/virtually at a particular Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) site and serve as a mentor/tutor to high school PEOPLE Participants. The Mentor/Tutor engages students in: • Teambuilding and social/emotional wellness activities that are prepared by PEOPLE Educational Content Specialists and Precollege Advisors. • Learning how to succeed in high school academic life so that they are prepared for college academic life. • Researching information about UW college services and resources that will provide students social and academic support. • Mentors/Tutors are expected to serve as role models according to PEOPLE standards and compliance regulations. The position runs the entire school year, starting September 28th, 2026 with the last day of ACE being May 7th, 2027. We follow Milwaukee Public School's calendar, so when school is out, so are we i.e., winter break, spring break, etc. The hours are from 3:30-6 PM, Monday-Wednesday. We are looking for candidates who can work at least 2 days per week at the following Milwaukee Public High Schools: • Ronald Reagan High School (4965 S 20th St, Milwaukee) • Golda Meir High School (227 W Pleasant St, Milwaukee) • Rufus King High School (1801 W Olive St, Milwaukee) • Milwaukee School of Languages (8400 W Burleigh St, Milwaukee) Key Job Responsibilities: • Communicates with instructional staff for content clarification when appropriate • Monitors student performance and/or assists learners in academic environments • Clarifies learning problems and assists with the development of study skills • Schedules study sessions with learners and provides assistance understanding curriculum-based concepts and materials Department: Division for Teaching and Learning, Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence (PEOPLE) Milwaukee. Compensation: $18.91 Required Qualifications: High school diploma Preferred Qualifications: Education: Preferred: Bachelors degree How to Apply: • Candidates are required to upload a cover letter describing related work experience and a resume/CV detailing their educational and professional background. Candidates may also choose to enter Certifications, Education, Languages, and Website information manually. • To begin the application process, click the "Apply" button. Please note that there is only one attachment field, so all application documents must be uploaded together. • After reviewing the Job Summary and Key Responsibilities, submit a cover letter with specific, first-hand examples demonstrating how your knowledge, skills, abilities, or past experience would contribute to success in the role. We value authenticity and transparency, and applicants may be asked to discuss these examples during the interview process. • Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. Contact Information: Kevin Johnson, kbjohnson8@wisc.edu, 608-262-9939 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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